OLSON, Bernt C. 1854-1915

OLSON, ANTONSON

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 2/19/2015 at 11:06:40

Bernt (Ben) C Olson was born March 28 (or 3rd?), 1854 at Norway.

He emigrated about 1870 to America, settling in North Dakota.

Bernt married Helena Antonson (b September 20, 1869 Gran, Hadeland, Norway, d December 30, 1924 Mitchell Co, Iowa) on November 27, 1888 at Park River, Walsh, North Dakota.

The couple had 8 children:
Alma Thorine (b April 2, 1890 Park River, Walsh, North Dakota, d February 12, 1957 Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa);

Oscar (b September 15, 1892 Park River, ND, d January 7, 1967 Osage, Iowa);

Laura Caroline (b August 19, 1894 Park River, ND, d October 17, 1962 Osage, Iowa);

Clara Helene (b September 13, 1897 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa, d September 21, 1975 Osage, Iowa);

Martha J (b November 18, 1899 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa, d February 15, 1995 Mitchell, Iowa);

Carl Johann (b June 28, 1903 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa, d April 14, 1959 Osage, Iowa);

Ole Martin (b October 22, 1906 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa, d March 31, 1963 Osage, Iowa) and

Alfred Theodore (b February 6, 1910 Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa, d August 17, 1997 Osage, Iowa.

Bernt, his wife and family moved back to Norway in 1896 and stayed there about six months. They returned to America and settled on a farm near Meroa in Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa where their remaining children were born. Bernt was a farmer.

Found in the 1900 - 1915 censuses at Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa:

1900: Ben C Olsen 46, Helena Olsen 30, Alma J Olsen 10, Oscar A Olsen 7, Laura C Olsen 5, Clara H Olsen 2, Martha J Olsen 6/12.

1910: Ben C Olson 56, Helen Olson 40, Oscar I Olson 17, Dorn C Olson 15, Clara Olson 12, Martha Olson 10, Carl Olson 6, Ole Olson 3, Alfred Olson 2 mos.

1915: Ben C Olson age 60.

Bernt died on December 10, 1915 at his farm in Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa due to an accident. He was buried at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa.

There is a memorial for him at Find a Grave #62733187

Article about the family from "The History of Meroa" written by Gertrude Crowell:

Bernt and Helena Olson had both emigrated from Norway and were married in North Dakota. They lived at Park River, North Dakota from 1888 to 1896, about 8 years after their marriage. Alma, Oscar and Laura were born in N.D., then Bernt decided he wanted to return to Norway to live. The entire family moved to Norway in 1896 and stayed about six months. He changed his mind and decided they all should return to the U.S. They came back to rural Meroa, settling on the farm just south of the RCLC cemetery and living there until they sold it in 1930.

Ben C. (Bernt) and Helene (Antonson) Olson bought their farm from John and Kari Olson in 1897. They had eight children: Carl, Ole, Oscar, Clara (Mrs. Clarence Miller), Laura (Mrs. Claude Wayne), Alma (Mrs. Clarence Huset), Martha (Mrs. John Timmerman) and Alfred.

Clara (Miller); Martha (Timmerman); Carl (Doris Ebert); Ole; and Alfred (wife Olive) were born on this farm.

Carl and Doris (Ebert) Olson lived here from 1928 - 1930. Carl's oldest son, Carl Jr., was born here. Their other children are Gordon and Carol (Mrs. Allyn Milton). Carl took over the farm in 1925. Clara, Ole and Alfred were still living at home until Carl married Doris in 1928 and they continued to live there till the place was sold in 1930.

The family were members of Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Bernt died due to an accident with a runaway team of horses.